hi guys interesting times you are both having!!!! glad you are packing plenty in it must still feel unreal! all good here james got off to glastonbury having a ball! cant wait to chat again take care love and hugs mumxxx sue!!
Paul
Matt and Luke. 480 RMb for two pots of tea - that the same price as one of your hotels for three nights!!. Remember what i said to you about being approached - always question what they are after. If you did the inviting fine. A good tactic to flush them out is when they suggest going somewhere is to suggest an alternative - like - lets go for a beer at a bar you know - better still smile and say no. Also everything is negotiable - you can always say you refuse to pay the price and offer them 20 RMB and leave - they will haggle and you might pay 50 but its better than 480. Like with the taxis - always ask the price before buying even if your expectation is that it should be cheap. If it gets difficult phone Anson or Abby. If you want your money back and can remember where it is take Abby or Luker and threaten that you will contact the tourist police if they do not refund your money. The authorities dont take kindly to tourists being ripped off. I am sure that you will get the hang of it soon. lots of love dad (paul)
Paul
Hi Guys,
Nice talk yesterday and to hear that you got to Beijing OK. Now you have done the airport bit yourselves the rest of the transfers should be a doddle (if have any problems Abby in the office is there to help). Can you let me know your chinese number so that I can text you on it. Anson said he had a good time with you guys last night. The posh hotel was a little treat he arranged - I knew nothing of it. Did Anson tell you that you will have to buy the train tickets in Xian. If there is a big problem we can always get you on a flight but stick with the train if you can as it will be a great experience. I expect that beijing is hot and dusty. Have fun seeing all the sights as they are very impressive. Dont forget to get out to the great wall and to book to see the Chinese Acrobats (the hotel will be able to book this for you). Also you can use the computers in the office for skyping and updating the blog. The guys in the office will also help you organise your sight seeing and take you out (they are a fun bunch - if you buy Morris enough beer he will tell you about the Student Uprising - he is a member of the communist party so is really interesting to listen to). Catch you both soon. Love Dad (Paul)
Lydia
HEEEEEEEEYYYY BAAAAAAABBBBBYYY!
hope you guys are having a fab time. got the webcam and microphone set up today and it all works!! how long are you both in beijing for? im so jealous of you guys. theres no chance of me getting a tan this summer in ruddy england! mind due i'd say that the temperature here hit its peak today at a scorching 22oC! happy times! anywho. miss you guys and will talk on skype veryyyyy soon! I love you Luke William Weller xxxxxxxx
p.s: buy me things :D
Jimmer
i have so many jokes i need to tell you, i no u probally dnt want to read jokes wen u come on here but they are AMAZING! There are some tht are actually brutal which i wont write on here cus i will probally get arrested.
Why don't women need watches?
There's a clock on the stove.
Jimmer
this joke is amazing
Jimmer
What's the worst thing about eating vegetables?
Getting caught up in the wheelchair.
Jimmer
haha! i like the bit about you having a beer on top of a cool building, wat beer was it? im watching wimbledon and about to make a cheese sandwich but not sure wat to have with it, marmite or saladcream.....? this is actually the toughest decision ive had to make all day. missing you guys. xxx p.s has weller been raped yet?
Mum
Luv the blog. The chinese couple don't sound very chinese!! Are u sure it was tea u were drinking!! xxx
Phoebe Hunter-Mcilveen
I said u shouldnt take jeans..yay phoebe was actually right, crazy days. i like that u have a blog is cool. spaak soon, hopefully will have my blackberry tomo so can be on skype lots..lucky you, lol. the tea ceremony sounds good, was it like a proper ceremony, like they bless you with tea, thats a dumb question i feel..enjoy tonight, jus cant imagine what its like, so so exciting. Nice to hear from you this morn :) xxxxxxxxx
Phoebe Hunter-Mcilveen
hey boys, me tills and jim are jus sat in jims bed thinking bout u's. me and jim went out with gd old pete and julie and vossy last night after watching the rugby, was a well good game, but the lions lost, pretty close mind. jim is teaching me the world of rugby...and im sure pete will help me along the way too..lol. we miss u guys already gay but true...how was the flight, hope u guys had a gooden, hope weller didnt s*** himself on the plane and matt u held his hand the whole way. bet is so serile to be in shanghai, whats the hotel like? lots of love and hugs, tills phebi and jimiley xxxxxxxx